MIAMI — The Kushner family, which has close ties to the White House, put the brakes on its negotiations to buy the Miami Marlins because of a report team owner Jeffrey Loria may be nominated by President Trump to become ambassador to France.

Joshua Kushner, whose older brother is an adviser to the president, has a preliminary agreement to buy the Marlins. But in a statement released late Wednesday by Kushner’s brother-in-law, Joseph Meyer, the family expressed concern the sale might “complicate” the ambassadorship appointment.

“Although the Kushners have made substantial progress in discussions for us to purchase the Marlins, recent reports suggest that Mr. Loria will soon be nominated by the president to be ambassador to France,” the statement said. “If that is true, we do not want this unrelated transaction to complicate that process and will not pursue it. The Kushners remain interested in purchasing a team and would love to buy the Marlins at another time.”

The New York Post reported Wednesday that Loria, a New York art dealer, is likely to be the next French ambassador. The report named him as one of four people selected by White House chief of staff Reince Priebus for top diplomatic posts.

Loria is a longtime major contributor to the Republican National Committee, which Priebus led until taking the job with Trump. Fundraising records show Loria gave $125,000 last fall jointly to the Trump campaign and RNC.

It has long been a presidential tradition to reward generous political donors with plum ambassadorships.

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The statement from the Kushners was the first public confirmation of their negotiations with Loria.

“Our family has been friends with Jeff Loria for over 30 years, been in business together, and even owned a Triple-A baseball team together,” the statement said, referring to an Oklahoma City club.

Joshua Kushner, 31, is a New York City businessman and investor and part of the real estate family that also includes Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser.

Marlins officials haven’t commented. Team president David Samson said he will speak Friday about the status of sale negotiations.

Other parties are also interested in the team, and Loria might reopen negotiations with them.

RANGERS: Mike Napoli has officially joined the team for a third time. Napoli, who was re-introduced by the Rangers on Thursday morning, received an $8.5 million, one-year contract that includes a club option for 2018. The 35-year-old set career highs with 34 homers and 101 RBI with Cleveland last year.

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NATIONALS: Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer is dealing with pain from a broken knuckle on his pitching hand that arose late last year and may not be ready for opening day.

Scherzer said the injury to the bottom knuckle on his ring finger is “essentially healed,” but bothers him when he throws.

ROYALS: Authorities in the Dominican Republic told the Kansas City Star the toxicology report on pitcher Yordano Ventura following his fatal car crash will only be released to his family and attorneys.

The results are an important piece in determining whether the Royals are obligated to pay the rest of Ventura’s contract, which is valued at $20.25 million.

BLUE JAYS: Mat Latos agreed to a minor league deal.


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